they could default on the debt, unless the debt ceiling is raised. republicans want the president to cut spending before they i gree on a deal. but the president at no time seem eager for compromise. listen. >> we have to stop lurking from crisis to crisis to crisis. when there is a clear pass that requires discipline, responsibility and compromise. >> dana: yet, he showed little willingness to do so. >> i'm willing to compromise and find common ground over how to reduce the deficit, america cannot afford another debate with this congress about whether or not they should pay the bills they have racked up. what i will not do is to have that negotiation with gun at the head of the people. >> dana: interesting choice of words to describe that. eric, you talked about not wanting the country to lurch from crisis to crisis. most americans would agree and want washington to fix fundamental problems. why do we have to have the debate every three months? >> eric: sure. start with the debt ceiling and how it came about. prior to world war i, everybody was paid